Luckiamute State Natural Area (LSNA) Enhancement

Exploring LSNA

Detail of the Willamette River from a lidar data image, showing the Luckiamute River (left) and the Santiam River (right) joining it. (Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries)

Luckiamute State Natural Area (LSNA) straddles the Benton/Polk County line along the Willamette River. At the boat-in campground at the northern end of LSNA is a spectacular view of the convergence of three rivers: the Luckiamute River, the Santiam River and the mighty Willamette River. Looking downstream from this vantage point, you can see the Santiam empty its waters into the Willamette. Then just a stone's throw downriver of this confluence is where the waters of the Luckiamute and Willamette Rivers are joined. According to Oregon State University (OSU) research, this intermingling of three of the area's most important rivers hosts the second-most diverse fish population in the Willamette Valley (the McKenzie-Willamette confluence tops the list). Formerly known as Luckiamute Landing, LSNA has grown from a collection of small parcels along the Willamette River to a 925-acre Natural Area managed as a single entity by Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). LSNA is divided into two sections, the 615-acre North Unit, which includes a seasonal boat-in campground, and the smaller 310-acre South Unit.

Perhaps LSNA is best known for its large remnant of deciduous "gallery forest" -- a forest of majestic cottonwoods and maples arching high over an exceptionally diverse understory. These increasingly rare habitats are critical to the survival of many kinds of neo-tropical migratory birds, as well as a wide variety of waterfowl, shorebirds, amphibians, and turtles. Less well known is that about a third of the Natural Area – and much more of the surrounding neighborhood – was historically grassland (prairie and oak savanna), which has become the Willamette Valley's most threatened habitat type. ​Efforts to restore these rare ecosystems have resulted in a 5-acre demonstration prairie in LSNA's North Unit, as well as protected oak savanna habitat in the South Unit.

The Willamette River near the confluence with the Luckiamute and Santiam Rivers (photo courtesy of OPRD)

Ranger Steve DeGoey leading a tour of LSNA (by Suzanne Teller)

Larkspur (Delphinium trollifolium) is a common sight at LSNA's Demonstration Prairie.

LSNA Wildlife

﻿The North Unit of the Natural Area holds the largest remaining remnant of bottomland cottonwood-maple-ash gallery forest, which harbors nesting wood duck, ruffed grouse, Western screech-owl and five woodpecker species, as well as visiting red-eyed vireo and band-tailed pigeon populations. The grassland habitats of the North Unit are also a main attraction, with remarkable displays of wildflowers in the Spring. LSNA's grasslands were formerly a regular nesting site for Oregon vesper sparrow, a declining and increasingly rare subspecies endemic to the Willamette and Umpqua Valleys. Another threatened grassland species endemic to this region, streaked horned larks, can still be found within two miles of LSNA. Western meadowlarks are regular in winter but have effectively disappeared as a nesting species, in recent decades.

The South Unit is best known for its population of Western Pond Turtles, a species in decline due to habitat loss. These dark greenish brown turtles are thriving in a pond that used to be a gravel quarry, located about half-a-mile from the South Unit trailhead. Future plans for the area involve construction of a trail that takes hikers around the pond to viewing stations where they can catch a glimpse of these elusive reptiles in action. As you venture into the oak prairie habitat in the upland areas, be on the lookout for white-breasted nuthatch and Western bluebirds.

Of course the Willamette and Luckiamute Rivers are important for fish too! During heavy rain events when the rivers spill over their banks, the floodplains of LSNA provide important rearing and feeding habitat for Spring Chinook and Winter steelhead - both of which are threatened species. Pacific lamprey and the recently de-listed Oregon chub are also found in these waters, and are part of the incredibly rich species diversity that makes LSNA so unique.

Teaming Up to Restore Willamette Floodplain Conditions

Luckiamute State Natural Area Enhancement is a project of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) and the Luckiamute Watershed Council, with funding and technical support from Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB), Meyer Memorial Trust, and Bonneville Power Administration, under the Willamette Special Investments Partnership (SIP) program. The partnership has made substantial progress toward improving site conditions and building community support around LSNA. The primary goal has been to reduce invasive weeds, replant with native shrubs and then continue to manage those native plantings until they can thrive and spread on their own. Most of the 80-acre Phase I acreage had previously been planted and had an established overstory of ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, Western red cedar and cottonwood. However, the understory had not developed and was dominated by Himalayan blackberry, river tansy, common teasel and a host of common agricultural weeds. Thanks to the Council and its partners, this area now has a multi-layered canopy, with a diverse mix of native trees, shrubs and forbs that provide food and shelter for a wide array of birds and other wildlife.

LSNA Phase I & II - North and South Tracts

﻿​Phases I and II

Phase I of the LSNA Restoration Project began in 2011, and included mowing, cutting, strategic weed treatments and the installation of over 122,000 native woody plant seedlings -- consisting of 30 different native species -- on 80 acres of riparian forest and wetland habitat in 2012. Phase II added 137 acres of floodplain riparian and wetland habitat in 2013 and 2014, expanding the total project area to a total of 217 acres. During both Phases, a total of 420,000 native trees and shrubs were planted in both the North and South Units of LSNA.

LSNA Phase III - North Tract

Phase III

﻿Phase III restoration includes the revegetation and enhancement of 117 additional acres of riparian and floodplain forest in the North Unit of LSNA. The goal of this Phase has been to fill gaps in the riparian canopy, minimize edge effects throughout the site, and help protect one of the largest remnant floodplain forests along the Willamette main stem from increasing weed pressures. Currently, project partners are stewarding and managing a total of 535 acres of riparian forest and wetland habitat. ﻿

In February 2013, reforestation crews planted 14 acres in LSNA's North Tract to expand the gallery forest.

In the spring of 2013, ring sprays protect the growing plants and reduce competition for the growing season.

The following spring, in 2014, you can see how much the new plants have already grown!

Work Continues at LSNA

Since 2011, work at Luckiamute State Natural Area has focused on restoring and reconnecting the floodplain habitat in and around the park. The large remnant of riparian forest found within LSNA has been identified as a high conservation priority and is critical to supporting the native fish and wildlife diversity that depends on these ecosystems for their survival. Opportunities for volunteers at LSNA and other projects in the watershed are available at the "Get Involved" link here or on the menu above.

Mowed reed canary grass prior to planting (2011).

The wetland area of the North Tract in April 2014

Blackberry cutting (2011)

This is the same wetland area about one year later, in March 2015

Coming Soon to LSNA - Interpretive Signs!

Be on the lookout for three brand new interpretive signs coming soon to LSNA's North Unit! In Spring 2016, we will be leading a tour along the North Unit loop trail. Sign up for our newsletters and you will receive an invitation in your mailbox!

Directions

From downtown Albany: Go over Hwy 20 westbound bridge and, immediately after the bridge, turn right onto Spring Hill Drive. Follow Spring Hill Drive. After about 7 miles, turn right onto Buena Vista Road. You will see State Park signs that say "South Luckiamute" about 1/3 mile from Spring Hill on the right, and "North Luckiamute" about 1.5 miles from Spring Hill, also on the right. Directions to find the North Unit Trailhead are included below.

From Corvallis: Go north on Hwy 99W about 9 miles to Camp Adair Rd (by the landfill, north of Adair Village). Turn right (east) onto Camp Adair Rd. and go 2 miles to T-intersection at Independence Hwy. Turn left (north) and go 1 mile, then turn right on Spring Hill Drive and go east for another mile to Buena Vista Rd where you will see State Park signs for "South Luckiamute" about 1/3 mile from Spring Hill on the right, then “North Luckiamute” about a mile further, also on the right. Then follow directions below find the North Unit Trailhead.

From Monmouth: Go south on Hwy 99W for 7 miles to flashing yellow light at Airlie/Suver Rd. Turn left (east) on Suver Rd and go 2 miles to T-intersection at Corvallis Rd. Turn right (south) and go 2 miles, then turn left on Spring Hill Drive and go east for another mile to Buena Vista Rd. Turn left (north) and look for a State Park sign for “South Luckiamute” on the right. About a mile further north will be a State Park sign for "North Luckiamute," also on the right. Directions to find the North Unit Trailhead are included below.

From Independence: Go south on Main St., which turns to Corvallis Road. Continue about a mile, and turn left (east) on Buena Vista Rd. Follow Buena Vista Rd. for about 9 miles, making sure to pay attention to the intersections where you must turn in order to stay on Buena Vista Rd. As you approach 9 miles, you will see State Park signs for “North Luckiamute," and about a mile further on, for "South Luckiamute." Directions to find the North Unit Trailhead are included below.

To find the North Unit Trailhead: Watch for a sign for “North Luckiamute” access road, just before Buena Vista Rd. crosses bridge over the Luckiamute River. Turn east onto access road which immediately goes over a wooden timber bridge, then turns into a paved road along the south bank of the Luckiamute River. Where the pavement ends, bear left (northeast) at fork with private driveway, and continue about 200 yards to a gravel parking area with a signboard giving interpretive information for LSNA.